Consumptive coagulopathy in turkeys exposed to Pasteurella multocida

When turkeys were inoculated intramuscularly with live Pasteurella multocida, three of the four inoculated turkeys developed an increase in modified Russell's viper venom time (mRVVT) 24 hours after inoculation. This increase was followed by irregular decreases and increases in mRVVT at subsequent bleedings. When turkeys were inoculated intravenously with P. multocida, the mRVVT increased markedly after inoculation in all eight inoculated turkeys: 9 hours later, the average mRVVT was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the uninoculated turkeys. No microthrombi were observed in the blood vessels of the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs. An increase in mRVVT was interpreted as an excessive consumption of one or more of clotting factors X, V, II, and I. These results indicate that consumptive coagulopathy could be a factor in the pathogenesis of fowl cholera in turkeys.